A new Hollywood comedy dealing with an assassination plot against North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has caught the attention of Pyongyang.
It warned that the release of the film, which is due out in the fall, would be an "act of war."
The co-director of the movie says Pyongyang is over-reacting.
Kwon Soa reports.
Could a comedy movie trigger a war?
According to a North Korean foreign ministry spokesperson, yes.
North Korea has come out all guns blazing against the first-ever American movie dealing with its leader Kim Jong-un.
"The Interview" is an action-comedy that centers on how a talk show host and his producer, played by James Franco and Seth Rogen, embark on a CIA mission to assassinate Kim.
Rogen, who also co-directed the movie, says he was inspired by journalists making trips to the communist country and hypothetical discussions on how they would be in the ideal position to assassinate the world's most dangerous people.
But, as can be seen in the trailer, the movie is hardly sinister in nature.
However, it was enough for North Korea to call the movie an "act of terrorism" and an "act of war".
Pyongang's foreign ministry spokesperson threatened "merciless" retaliation if the film is released.
Seth Rogen is not taking the threat too seriously.
Upon hearing of the North's reaction to the teaser, Rogen tweeted "People don't usually want to kill me for one of my movies until after they've paid 12 bucks for it."
Days before the North's threat, Rogen had tweeted "Apparently Kim Jong-un plans on watching 'The Interview'. I hope he likes it "
"The Interview" is expected to hit big screens in the U.S. in October.
No word yet on whether it will be released in South Korea.
Kwon Soa, Arirang News.

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